Journal- What were two ways

that America established their

own culture in the 1800s?

Manifest Destiny
Belief that the US was destined to expand
across the continent; coast to coast

Moving West
People lived in
crowed east moved
west for
Cheap land
Open space

Gold was discovered

in 1848 in California
which created a gold
rush
People that moved to
California were 49ers

Oregon Trail
One of many trails
that left from St. Louis
and ended out west
Settlers used these
trails to set get to the
west coast
Railroads made these
trails obsolete

Gods Hand in Expansion

Second Great
Awakening sparked
movement
Many thought God
blessed expansion of
US
Thought Natives were
heathens that should
be converted

Homestead Act
Act that allowed
people to purchase
160 acres for cheap
Later people could
claim land for small
fee and promise to
build house and live
there for 5 years

Webster-Ashburton Treaty
US and Britain almost
fought over
US/Canada border
British Ambassador
Ashburton and
Secretary of State
Daniel Webster
agreed on treaty to
establish border

Texas: Independence and

Annexation
Mexico gained
independence from
Spain in 1821
Soon after, Stephan
Austin led Americans
to Texas (Mexico)
General Santa Anna
increased control over
Americans in Texas

American Uprising
Americans revolted
against Mexican
government
Texans held convention,
declared themselves
independent
Santa Ana sent in
military

The Alamo
Santa Annas army
met small group of
Texans at The Alamo
Santa Anna was too
powerful, all Texans
were killed
Davey Crockett killed
at The Alamo

Texas: The Lone Star

After the Alamo,
Texans continued to
fight
Captured Santa Anna
In exchange for Santa
Anna Mexico
declared Texas
independent

Texas Wants to Become A State

Texas asked to be
annexed by US
President Jackson
wanted to but he couldnt
convince northerners
They feared Texas would
become a slave state or
be broken into many
slave states
Texas remained
independent until 1845

Election of 1844
Democrat James K.
Polk elected
President over Whig
Henry Clay
James Polk was a
Dark Horse meaning
he wasnt expected to
win
First time dark horse
won presidency

Election of 1844
Polk strongly
campaigned for
annexation of Texas
and Oregon
Henry Clay hurt by
Liberty party which
took some voters
from Clay
Polk stole the White
House

Annexation of Oregon
President Polk
annexed Texas and
looked to Oregon
Britain and US had
agreed on joint
occupation of Oregon
Polk wanted US
control

54-40 or FIGHT!
Polk took the idea that
the US had the right to
Oregon up to 54-40
latitude
54-40 or fight became
slogan
Britain was upset by his
aggression but agreed to
give US Oregon
Oregon wasnt profitable
and Britain needed to
trade with US